Zipper
“In America they call me Calvin, but here they all call me Zipper,” the teen explained between large bites of food. “Zipper or Calvin. It doesn’t really matter.”
After everyone finished eating, the three oldests, Zipper, Romeo, and Goldie, were asked to do the dishes. Dr. Liberty went to do some paperwork and Higgins ran Rosemary and Eudora a bath.
“What do you think of the new girl?” Romeo asked, throwing a towel over his shoulder. Goldie stood by the sink in a flower embroidered apron. Her arms were under the soapy water up to her elbows.
“I’m glad Rosie will have someone to play with,” Goldie shrugged. She handed Romeo another clean plate for him to dry.
“You’re tired of playing dolls?” Calvin teased, even though he agreed. They all were glad Rosemary had another child to play with. The three of them were tired of the ten-year-old always trying to tag along and Goldie was running out of excuses on why she couldn’t play with her.
They also had the task of keeping Rosemary entertained and out of trouble. It wasn’t safe for her to be poking around in places she didn’t belong.
“But this place isn’t safe for children,” Goldie continued. She glanced over her shoulder, through the hall, and into the formal dining room. The table looked like it would snap in half completely at any second. “What if that had been her?”
“Who? New kid? I doubt it,” Romeo reassured her. Zipper frowned, unsure of whose side to take. He handed Goldie a bowl to wash.
“We’ll make sure it isn’t. Like we already do with Rosie,” Zipper finally said. “She might surprise us anyway. She’s a mutant too, remember?”